Goiyama Illumination

Goiyama Illumination (2017,2018 Sakawa, JP)

Goiyama Ryokuchi Park is located in Sakawa-cho, a small town in the semi-mountainous area of Kochi Prefecture. Here, there is a 100m-long roller coaster (slide coaster) that was built 25 years ago as part of local revitalization efforts. Unfortunately, by the time I visited the area in 2017, the park was already overgrown with weeds, and the slide itself was covered with moss and almost in a state of disrepair. As the rust had not penetrated the external coating, the slide was still usable despite these conditions. I still remember how enjoyable and thrilling it was when I climbed to the top and slid down the slide. I imagined the bustling crowd that must have surrounded the slide when it was first built. When the slide was just completed, it was beautifully maintained and drew large crowds, but hardly anyone visits the park these days. I worked closely with the local community for this art project with the goal of reviving this almost forgotten spot by illuminating the slide and making this a place where events can be held so that people can gather here once again.

Photo : Mitsu Maeda

高知県の中山間部の小さな町、佐川町にある五位山緑地公園。そこには25年前に地域活性化の為に作られた長さ約100mのローラーコースター(滑り台)があります。残念なことに私がそこを訪れた2017年の時点では、公園には雑草が繁り、滑り台には苔が生えていて廃墟になりかけていました。そのような状況でも滑り台は分厚い塗装のおかげで錆に侵食されておらず使用する事ができました。頂上まで登りそこから滑り降りてみると、とても楽しくて興奮した事を今でも覚えています。同時に滑り台が出来た当時の賑わいが頭に浮かびました。完成した当時はきれいに整備され大勢の人が集っていた公園も現在は殆ど人が訪れません。この場所をもう一度人々が集まる場所に戻したいと思い、滑り台にイルミネーションを施し、イベントを開催することで忘れかけられていた場所の再生を目指す、地域の人々と協力しながら取り組んだアートプロジェクトです。

Photo : Mitsu Maeda

Photo : Mitsu Maeda

Photo : Mitsu Maeda

Photo : Mitsu Maeda